By Vera Morris

This entertaining version of Jack and the Beanstalk returns to the original English source, The History of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean. All the familiar characters are here: The dancing cow, the magic bean-seller, the hysterical chicken, the singing harp, the mother, the Giant. There are also zany villagers and a silly kitchen staff at the Giant’s castle. The Giant’s name is Gogmagog, and he’s a horrible person. He even locks up the kingdom’s ruler. When Jack sells the cow for those magic beans, the fun really begins. Jack goes up the beanstalk and into the castle, where he not only fights Gogmagog but a spiteful Troll as well. By the play’s end, the cow is returned, the chicken learns how to lay golden eggs, and the good life returns to the kingdom — thanks to Jack.